EQUALITY officer Ms Mary Solan Avison has found that Co Laois Vocational Education Committee (VEC) discriminated against a woman teacher in making an appointment to an "A" post of responsibility because of her sex.
Ms Mary Higgins was interviewed in November 1994 for the post at St Fergal's College, Rathdowney, Co Laois, where she has been a teacher since 1984. She had held the post in a temporary capacity since 1991.
The two other candidates for the position were a man and a woman, both also teachers at the school. The man was appointed to the post.
Figures made available during the equality officer's inquiry disclosed that of the 35 male and 38 female teachers employed by Laois VEC all five principals are male, only one of the five vice principals is female and all eight "A" posts of responsibility are held by men. Eleven of the 19 "B" posts are held by women, and 26 of the 36 non post holders are women.
There are 12 male and 19 female teachers at Saint Fergal's College, Rathdowney. The posts of principal, vice principal, and all five "A" posts of responsibility are held by men. The female teachers hold eight of the 10 "B" posts, while 11 are non post holders, compared to two of the male teachers.
The Equality Officer considered that "the fact that the interview board failed to consider the claimant's obviously superior work experience and qualifications in their decision making is evidence in support of the allegation that there was discrimination against her on the basis of her sex in the selection process."
She recommended that Ms Higgins be offered an "A" post, with effect from November 1994
when the other appointment was made - and that she be paid accordingly. She also recommended that Ms Higgins be paid £2,500 "in compensation for the stress caused to her by this discrimination."
